I know Your Works by Bola Olu-Jordan

Image and Likeness Jesus wrote letters to the seven churches of Asia through John in the book of Revelation. Among them is the church of Ephesus. He said to her: “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted… this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” (Rev. 2:3,6). These are towering credentials only few ‘churches’, past or present can perhaps measure up to. However, despite Jesus’ commendations to this church, He shocked them by saying: “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” (Rev 2:4). He unquestionably found great works in the assembly, but did not find the only requirement to God, Himself (first love). In many believers’ lives or assemblies today, there may be similar or even greater works, labour and other wonderful efforts. Many of these may be as commendable as that of the church of Ephesus. But in Jesus’ assessment, the love of Him is the foundation for all other things; it reveals Christ’s image and likeness in us. The only thing that made Nebuchadnezzar to bow and believe the God of heaven was the unalloyed love that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego displayed for their God, even in the face of death. He saw the likeness of the Son of God in the fiery furnace that he threw them into for refusing to bow to his own image. God created us in His image and likeness and would look for the same in us when we meet Him; not our works. Jesus did not find His image in the people and the Church of Ephesus. Would He find it in us and in our assembly, or would He find good programs and activities? Paul said to the Church at Corinth: “I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Cor. 2:2). To the Galatian Church, He said, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” (Gal 4:19). Our ‘travail’ (labour, works or effort) must be that Christ be formed in us and we be conformed to His image and likeness (Rom.8:29). As much as Christ is the express image and glory of God, we must be the image and glory of Christ (Heb. 1:3; Jn. 17;11,22). He must be formed in us and in our gatherings. God gave us His Son and He is looking for only what He gave to us, not what we can give to Him. Not finding His own image and likeness in the church of Ephesus, Jesus warned them to repent or He would remove their lampstand (Holy Spirit). “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” (Rev 2:5). They had ‘fallen’ but were still involved in commendable works. This shows clearly what wonderful works a fallen man (or assembly) can do for God: grow churches, perform miracles, save souls, be involved in missions, yet they are fallen! The riches of the glory of God is when Christ is in us. Christ, not works, is the hope of our glory (Col. 1:27).Knowing Him We cannot be formed into the image and likeness of someone we never knew or met. Yet that is just the beginning; we must grow in Him and mature unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the FULLNESS of Christ (Eph.4:13), not just a part. This can only happen when there is relationship. Good works, effort or labour cannot replace relationship, even in the natural family. They may be wonderful but cannot produce a seed or life. How wonderful can a partner be who showers his/her spouse with all good things and words but denies him/her of ultimate intimate expression of relationship? Can couples be too busy that they cannot give themselves to each other? Or can things, sweet words or noble activities replace intimacy? Christ wants intimate relationship with us more than our greatest labour for Him. Only then can He be formed in us. A good tree is not just a green, tall, big and flowery one, with branches, shades, leaves, and no fruit. Jesus cursed the tree that did not produce fruit to satisfy His hunger. He said to his disciples, “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit… Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:2,4-6). Fruitfulness in a relationship comes only by ‘knowing one another’ (intimacy), like Adam ‘knew’ his wife. Christ must know us, only then are we enabled by Him (through the deposit of His grace in us) to bear fruit for Him. “And Adam knew his wife; and she conceived…” (Gen.4:1). When the husband knows his wife, seed is raised in his name. When Christ knows us, He will form Himself in us. Jesus denies some people entry to heaven because He does not KNOW them. He said to them, “I know you not”. But in their claim, they have done many wonderful things for God, including prophesying, healing in His name, doing many wonderful things, working and labouring for God. When the disciples asked questions on this, He said to them, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” (Luke 13:23-24). Seeking means a spirited and deliberate EFFORT. Why would people truly SEEK to enter, but will not be able to? Because entry is only by knowing, which makes us to look like Him. It is not activities, but relationship. In this parable, the master of the house (Jesus) shut the door, and the people shall “begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets…” He will answer them, “I know you not whence ye are.” (Luke 13:25). The interesting thing in this parable is that the people stood up to knock at the Master’s door, called Him Lord and demanded that He opened to them on the basis of their works for Him. This means, it is possible to stand for Jesus, knock at the heaven’s gate through prayer and acknowledge Him as Lord and yet we are none of His. They went further and argued: “We have eaten and drunk IN THY PRESENCE, and thou hast taught in our streets.” (Luke 13:26. Emphasis mine). Notice the wonderful works they did for Him. They ate and drank IN HIS PRESENCE (a form of observance of ordinances, like the Lord’s Table, baptism, prophecy, etc.), and also listened to His word (in bible study, sermons, seminars, etc). No one could truly square up to his master with these claims if he really didn’t do them. But Jesus tells them emphatically: “I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.” Jesus did not deny them entry on the basis of their claims, but because He did not know them; He was not formed in them, therefore, He did not see Himself in them, though He saw wonderful works. There is a marked difference between knowing the Lord and working for the Lord. We cannot get to God on the basis of the latter (Eph.2:9; Rom.4:2; Rom.9:11; 2Tim.1:9). Relationship makes us to abide in Him and bear fruit for Him (John 15:4,6,7). Our greatest labour in people’s lives should be that Christ be formed in them, not making them Christians, our disciples, our followers or meeting their needs. While Jesus prepared for His final departure, He prayed what could be called the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ for the disciples. “As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that THEY MIGHT KNOW THEE the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:2-3). Here we see the definition of eternal life: it is knowing Christ. Towards the end of his life, Apostle Paul also prayed a passionate prayer: “That I MAY KNOW HIM, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” (Philp. 3:10. Emphasis mine). How embarrassing this is: Despite all Paul’s labour for several decades, at the end of his life, his prayer was that he might know Christ. Paul knew that knowing Christ is the only key to get to heaven, not his missionary trips and activities. This should be our most important duty, too, not ministry activities. What to do Among those who asked Jesus what to do to have eternal life was the rich young ruler. He wanted to know WHAT ELSE to do, because he had done all ‘from his youth’. Jesus told him just what to do: “Go and sell all you have and give them to the poor…” Why do we think there is something we can do to get to God? If there was anything to do to get to God, then Jesus needn’t have come! Our works must come to the place of ruin, so that Christ may manifest in us. We must decrease, that He may increase (Jhn.3:30). Paul said “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” (Philp 3:7-8). We must come to the end of self when there is nothing else to flaunt. No beautiful church building to point to; no great organizational structure to cherish, no marble altar to deify, no camp-site to consecrate; all mission activities to the poor, growing membership, anniversaries, crusades, conferences, network of parishes, etc, no longer matter. They are wonderful, but not necessary: we can make heaven without them, but cannot make heaven without Christ. After Jesus told the young ruler what to do to make heaven on his own merit, (to sell all he had), He then told him God’s requirement: “Come, follow me”. That is the only [simple] thing to do, but he must first empty himself of his achievements and give the proceeds to the poor (not even to Jesus) before he could follow Him. In like manner, all our achievements, abilities and zeal can be a great burden in our walk with Jesus. The same message for the Church of Ephesus is for us, “Repent!” In many of our gatherings and fellowships, there is always something to do: special programmes to bring growth, activities to win souls, and so on. These are good, so also our missions, schools and other charitable works are commendable, but Jesus is not coming for them. He is coming for individuals within whom He is formed and matured. He wants us, not our works. He wants a relationship with us, not activities from us.The Leaven In the last days, ministry, programs and other activities will become the hallmark of Christianity. Many will be happily busy and religiously satisfied with doing something for God. Affiliations and membership will be on this basis, and success will be measured by titles, activities, membership, size and charisma, buttressed by many testimonies, miracles, healings, salvation, deliverances. To many, this is the church of God, but Jesus said when the church thinks that she is “rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing”, she is actually “blind, naked, wretched and does not know it” (Rev 3:17). As good as these are, it’s a snare to the end time church as it disrupts the eternal plan of God to make Christ to be formed in all. God desires obedience more than sacrifice. He is looking for union with Himself in Christ through His Spirit. Our works without His love is iniquity to Him. He asked Peter: “Do you love Me more than this, then feed My sheep” (Jn. 21:16). Love first, works later. When we love, we feed the sheep, not milk them. Adam and Eve lost their first love with a little experimentation of their own effort. What we can do for God (and we can do a lot) is not the same as what God requires us to do. The latter is religion and Satan is the author of religion. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your hearts.” Our strength is in obedience, not our actions. In works, there is man’s boasting “…in your name we have healed the sick; in your name we have done many wonderful works…” But it is “not of works, lest any man should boast.”(Eph.2:9). Works bring reward, but love brings salvation. Salvation comes first, without which there will not be reward even for the greatest work. First Love The mention of the word ‘First love’ may cause us to examine our hearts if we really love Him. All we can say right now is that we do and that is straight from our hearts. There are expressions that justify this: our worship, tithe, membership, commitment and other activities are evidences. The church of Ephesus had more than that. They could not even stand those who are evil; they tried those who said they were apostles, and found them to be liars. They had patience, labour, and did not give up. They even hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which Christ also hates. (Rev 2:2,3,6) Yet, Jesus didn’t find Himself (first love) in them. In Matthew 7:22, Jesus Himself said, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?” (Mat 7:22). Yet, Jesus called them, “workers of iniquity” and said He did not know them. In our hearts, iniquity may denote sin. But in this context, it is not. Sinners will not stand before God to claim any righteous deeds, but these did. Note that Jesus called them ‘workers of iniquity’, not ‘workers of sin’. Iniquity, in this context is synonymous to bringing great works first, and Christ following. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for doing what was necessary but neglecting what was greater (Luke. 11:42). Our works must not overshadow our personal relationship with Jesus. Mere works for Christ without a relationship with Him is iniquity to God. Work is performance. God will not judge us on performance of work, but on acceptance of His love. Love is the greatest of all. Work is law, love is grace. By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in His presence, but by grace we are saved. The leading of God, not our burden for Him, must energize us. It is easy to replace relationship with a Person (Jesus), with relationship with people (brethren). Jesus said, “Take heed that no man deceive you... because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” (Mat 24:3,12). This suggests that the ‘many’ once had the love, but it would gradually thaw out and turn cold because iniquity (work without relationship) shall ‘abound’ (be rampant) in the church. Cain’s offering was a demonstration of man’s work for God without any relationship with Him, so also the church of Ephesus, the people whose master denied them entry in the parable, as well as those denied entry by Jesus in heaven. Their works received commendations, but Jesus was looking for Himself first, before He considered their good works. Without Himself, the good works automatically become filthy rags. It is better to eat a dry morsel with love than a sumptuous meal without it; it is wickedness. The disciples saw the truth of Jesus’ statement demonstrated in the encounter with the rich ruler: “Narrow is the gate and straight is the way and many seek to enter but would not be able to”, and they asked Him: “Who then can be saved”? (Lk.18:26). Heaven is not by performance, but obedience. The Result Iniquity destroyed Satan’s relationship with God in heaven. He is using the same tool in thawing out the love of Christ in believers’ hearts. He must have used it with the church of Ephesus who were good in all things, but failed in their love for God (Jesus). Their love had waxed cold because of much works. It is same here with us in the last days. Jesus had wondered that when He comes, would He find faith on the earth? (Lk. 18:8). He would definitely find works, but faith...? One of the characteristics of iniquity is that it creeps in unsuspectingly. It is particularly challenging for people or assemblies with means, zeal, ability or quest to do something for God. Zeal without knowledge consumes but when we abide in Him, we come into union with Him and we bear fruit for Him. Lucifer, the son of the morning loved God. He was perfect in all his ways until iniquity was found in him (Ezek 28:15). Much works as the arch-angel and as the commander of the host of heaven perhaps beclouded his reasoning: He wanted more. The quest heightened to the point of rebellion and coveting the throne of God. He lost the relationship with God and was cast out. Adam was cast out of the Garden when he lost relationship with God on the basis of his works. Cain was cast out of God’s presence for the same reason. The rich ruler went out of His presence because he could not afford a relationship with Jesus, so also the people who told Jesus that in His name they did all the wonderful works. Would He spare the last day believers? As long as Christ’s image is not found in people, they would resemble no one even if they enter heaven. Our garment is Christ’s image.Repent Ishmael was Abraham’s work while Isaac was God’s plan. God rejected all Abraham’s appeal to let his work (Ishmael) live before Him, “God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.” (Gen 17:18-19). God did not reject Ishmael as a son, but as the son, He even blessed him (Gen.16:10). He asked Abraham to repent: he must send both Ishmael and his mother away. His work would not replace God’s plan no matter how innocent (Gen 21:14). Later, God gave the specification of the character of Abraham’s work: “He will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.” (Gen 16:12). That is what all our works look like to God. At what point does our work become iniquity with God? At what point does our love begin to wax cold? When we are involved in much religious activity, it is time to watch it; it may bring good fruits, but while God is always good, good is not always God. God will be glorified in His plans, not our works (Eph.1:9); a spiritual working, not a charitable, religious or personal burden. What He enables us to give Him, not what we can give Him. Paul challenged the Corinthian assembly: Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2Cor. 13:5). This is necessary so that we will not get to heaven and our works become iniquity before God, which is very possible. When we spend less time with the scriptures on our own, we read to find something to preach or find passages to pray with; when fellowship with brethren no longer excites us; when our gathering is more of looking for solutions to our problems; when activities in the church give us joy more than being alone with God; when we have more corporate prayer life than a personal prayer life, or someone to pray for us; when we no longer hear the voice of God; when the word of God is not the most elevated in our lives; when we move more by burden than by leading; when we no longer respond to the Holy Spirit’s convictions, when we struggle with sin, more than obeying God; when people tell us how wonderful our ministry is... it’s time to watch out! God is looking for His love (Jesus) in us, not His work in us. Paul said without love, even if he spoke with the tongues of men and of angels, he would be like a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. If he had the gift of prophecy, and understood all mysteries, and all knowledge; and had all faith, so that he could remove mountains, he was nothing. And though he gave all he had to feed the poor, and gave his body to be burned, it would not profit him (1Co 13:1-3). In an earlier chapter, he said, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1Co 9:27). If that is a possibility with Paul, it is with us, too. We must be Mary, not Martha. Martha expended much effort in trying to prepare a meal for Jesus (works), but Mary sat at Jesus’ feet to get to know Him (relationship). Martha asked Jesus to rebuke Mary and send her to join in the great works and labour she was involved in for the Lord. Jesus commended her labour, but said she was too cumbered with many works and activities, trying to please the master. But the master is more interested in us knowing Him and He knowing us. He said Mary had chosen that and it would not be taken away from her. The call on each of the disciples is ‘follow me and I will make you…’ It is not us that make ourselves; not Bible school, doctrine, people, etc. He makes us when we follow Him, not when we do great things for Him. As we follow Him, He makes us to work what is pleasing to Him (fishers of men). He only needs our availability, not ability. People can make us anything and confer on us ministerial titles, but only Christ conform us to His image. The sad news is that much effort is expended on works, activities and programmes by many individuals, churches and ministries and to some, there remains no more oil in the lamp to light the path to see the right way. While our works may still qualify us as believers here on earth, we still call Him Lord and do many wonderful works in His name, but eternity is too costly to leave to the chance of whether Jesus knows us or not. There must be repentance now, because the night comes when no one works again and nowhere to buy oil. The shout of the arrival of the bridegroom is near. How will you deal with Christ’s word: “I know your works”? He sees and acknowledges your works, labour and effort in the assembly, but He wants more than that, He wants relationship. How is your relationship with Him? Is it strong enough to produce His image and likeness in you? When you stand before God, will Christ be there to say He knows you or you will depend on your works to save you? By works shall no flesh be justified before Him. Christ (not works) in us, is the hope of Glory (Col.1:27). He who has ears, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.